I’ve been leaving FaceTime voicemails, and the hidden iOS feature surprised my family
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Highlights taken by ZDNET
- FaceTime video messages work like voicemail for missed video calls.
- Live Voicemail allows you to leave audio messages from FaceTime audio.
- Missed FaceTime messages appear in the recipient’s call history.
My editor told me the other day that he spent the weekend showing two people how to use FaceTime’s little-known feature: video messaging. That made me wonder if my husband or my parents know how to leave it when someone doesn’t answer a FaceTime video call. Spoiler alert: They didn’t, so I showed them how it works.
Also: Your iPhone RCS and Android conversations are encrypted in iOS 26.5: How to make sure E2E is enabled
It’s basically voicemail, but with video and only for FaceTime users. If you use FaceTime audio, there is a related feature called Live Voicemail. Confused though? Don’t worry. My family was like that, in the beginning. Here’s how to use both.
How to leave a FaceTime video message
What you need: FaceTime video messages only work with FaceTime-compatible Apple devices. Apple says it can be found in saved contacts, people the recipient has called, and people suggested by Siri.
The phone rings until no one answers. When it expires, FaceTime shows an option to record a video message. It only appears after a FaceTime video call has gone unanswered, not before the call has been picked up.
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To view a FaceTime video message, open FaceTime and look for it in the call history. Tap the video icon to play it. Messages can be retrieved by tapping a person’s name in FaceTime history, then checking for videos or voicemails.
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Optional: Leave a FaceTime audio voicemail
To make a FaceTime audio call instead of a video call, first turn on Live Voicemail in Settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Live Voicemail. Then make a FaceTime audio call as usual: Open FaceTime, tap New FaceTime, select a contact, and tap the phone icon. If the person doesn’t answer, FaceTime gives you the option to leave a voicemail.
Also: How to record an iPhone call (and where and when it’s legal to do so)
At the receiver’s end, a live transcript may appear while the message is being recorded, if it is long enough. After a FaceTime audio voicemail is left, the full message can be found in the phone app under Voicemail.
Why would I leave FaceTime voicemails?
For someone who already uses the FaceTime app to make phone calls, leaving a video message or audio voicemail is just as useful as leaving any other missed message. The Record Video option makes it feel more personal because you can record yourself talking.
Where do FaceTime video messages come from?
FaceTime video messages appear in the FaceTime recipient’s call history and as a notification. FaceTime audio voicemails are saved in the Voicemail inbox of the Phone app.
Is this the same as sending video messages?
No. A FaceTime video message starts from a missed FaceTime video call and appears in the FaceTime app.
Can I leave a FaceTime voicemail on my desktop?
No. On the Mac desktop, I didn’t see an option to leave a FaceTime video message or voicemail if someone didn’t answer.
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